General Information

The City of Alexandria levies a tax each calendar year on all real estate located in the City that is subject to taxation. Residential and commercial property is assessed at 100% of the estimated fair market value as of January 1 of each year.

Due Dates

First Half: June 15

Second Half: November 15

Real Estate Assessment

Assessment notices are mailed to property owners in February. Owners who wish to contest their property assessment may lodge an appeal. For information on real estate assessment procedures, Board of Equalization and Assessment Review and the appeals process, please visit the Office of Real Estate Assessments.

Residents and other interested parties may view ownership, sales, tax history, and assessment information for a property or make real estate tax payments here. Assessed values and other real estate assessment data are extracted from the official assessment records for all properties in the City of Alexandria.

Computation and Collection of Tax

Real estate taxes are calculated by multiplying the property's assessed value by the real estate tax rate. On May 1, 2014, the City Council set the real estate tax rate at $1.043 per $100 for the tax year beginning January 1, 2014. For example, in tax year 2014, the real estate tax on a residence assessed at $200,000 is $2,086($200,000 x 2014 tax rate of $1.043 per $100).

Real estate taxes are billed and payable in two installments. The first tax bill is mailed in May and is due by June 15. The second tax bill is mailed in October and is due by November 15. (Sample Real Estate Tax Bill)

If taxes are included in a property owner's mortgage payments, the City will bill the bank or mortgage company for taxes due. Any property owner whose taxes are not paid through a bank or mortgage company who does not receive a tax bill should contact the Treasury Division. The property owner is still responsible for paying the tax before the due date. Failure to receive a bill does not relieve a tax payer from payment of the tax, penalty and interest.

Potomac Yard Special Tax Districts

City Council has established two special tax districts (Tier I and Tier II) to help finance the redevelopment of the Potomac Yard Area.

The "Tier I Special Services District," which City Council approved in December of 2010, encompasses North Potomac Yard (Landbay F) as well as Landbays G, H and the multi-family portion of Landbay I. Beginning in calendar year 2011, Tier I properties are assessed a tax of $0.20 per $100 in assessed value in addition to the City's base real estate tax rate (for a tax rate of $1.238 per $100 in calendar year 2013).

The "Tier II Special Services District" encompasses all of Landbay I not in the Tier I District and all of Landbay J. In general, the Tier II District is the southern part of Potomac Yard not including the development sites south of the Monroe Avenue Bridge and excluding Potomac Greens. Beginning in calendar year 2016, Tier II properties will be assessed a tax of $0.10 per $100 in assessed value in addition to the City's base real estate tax rate.

Refuse Collection and Disposal Fee

The City charges an annual fee for the collection and disposal of solid waste, ashes, and yard debris to owners of required user properties. The Alexandria City Code defines a "required user property" as "[a]ny single family, two family or row dwelling, or any building or structure used solely for residential purposes and containing four or fewer dwelling units, that is located within the city, excluding condominium dwellings and dwelling units, and also excluding dwellings and dwelling units in any residential development wherein an owners' association is required by special use permit to provide solid waste and recyclable material collection service by private collector." This refuse collection fee is added to the property owner's or owners' real estate tax bills in biannual installments.

For Fiscal Year 2014, which began July 1, 2013, City Council set the refuse collection and disposal fee (refuse fee) at $328 for the year. This new fee will be applied to second half 2013 and first half 2014 real estate tax bills.

Updating a Billing or Mailing Address

Any property owner who wishes to update the address to which real estate tax bills and any real estate tax-related correspondence are mailed must update the mailing address on file with the Department of Real Estate Assessments (DREA) and should contact that department for instructions. The Finance Department is required by law to mail the biannual real estate tax bills and related correspondence to either the owner's mailing address on file with DREA or to the owner's mortgage company (whichever is applicable). Finance Department staff cannot update the mailing/billing address on file.

Payment Methods

Real estate tax payments (by check or money order), if not made by the taxpayer’s bank or mortgage company, may be mailed with the bill stub to:

Treasurer's OfficeP.O. Box 34750Alexandria, VA 22334-0750

Any property owner paying by check or money order should write the account number in the memo field. Returned checks are subject to a $35 fee in accordance with state law.

Information on all other payment methods, including eCheck and debit/credit card payments, is available at Six Easy Ways to Pay.

Automatic Bank Debit Program

Through the Automatic Bank Debit Program, taxpayers may register to make real estate tax payments monthly or have the lump sum of the tax amount due automatically debited on each of the two tax due dates. This program has proven to be popular with those who prefer making monthly payments and with those who may travel a great deal and may either forget the bill or be out of town when the tax payment falls due. (Example: preauthorized monthly payment schedule).

Disabled Veterans' Exemption

The City offers a full real estate tax exemption to any veteran who has been rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or its successor agency pursuant to federal law to have a 100 percent service-connected, permanent and total disability, and who occupies the real property as his/her primary place of residence. The surviving spouse of a veteran eligible for the exemption may also qualify.

Tax Relief for Elderly and/or Disabled Persons

Residents of the City of Alexandria who are either 65 years of age or older or permanently and totally disabled by November 15, 2014, may be eligible for the City's Real Estate Tax Relief Program for Elderly and Disabled Persons. This program offers full or partial exemption from real estate taxes and/or deferral of real estate taxes to qualified applicants. Tax relief may be prorated for persons who turn 65 or who become disabled between January 1 and November 15, 2014.